By Jessica Walker
Communications and Campaigns Manager | Pou Whakahaere Whitiwhiti Kōrero, Kaupapa Whakatairanga
Extra admin is nobody’s idea of festive fun. An online shopping scam doesn’t just hit your pocket — it brings stress and hassle too. Before you head to the online checkout, here are our top tips to help you shop safely and keep that hassle out of your basket.
Scams: what households are reporting
Consumer’s latest Sentiment Tracker found that 8% of households said they have lost money to a scam in the year to October.
Fake online shops and sellers featured in the experiences of more than one in five households targeted by a scam. Young adults were most likely to report being targeted by a scam. They were also more likely to have encountered a fake online shop or seller.
Check it before you check out!
Before you buy, take a moment to check. These tips can help you get what you want and reduce the risk of scammers getting their hands on your hard-earned money.
Check the seller
Look at the website’s contact details for a New Zealand address or phone number. Don’t assume the seller is based in New Zealand just because the website ends in “.co.nz”.
Check the reviews
Start with recommendations from family, friends or independent experts where possible. Online reviews can help you make an informed decision about a store or seller, but some are fake. Look out for multiple reviewers with the same last name and be wary if many reviews are vague.
Check how you pay
Paying online with a debit or credit card means you can apply for a chargeback if you don’t receive what you paid for. A chargeback is where your bank reverses the payment. Save your confirmation emails and any correspondence with the seller if things go wrong. You’ll need these records to support a chargeback application.
Fraud Awareness Week kicks off on 15 November. You can read more about how to recognise scam warning signs and protecting yourself online at the official Fraud Awareness Week site.
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